Pressure Regulator for Non-Lethal Projectile Launcher

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for launching projectiles, such as a paintball marker with a pressure regulator. In one embodiment, the regulator that employs a user-friendly On/Off valve which permits or stops gas flow to the outlet port of the regulator and vents the remaining gas from the outlet port in the OFF position. In another embodiment, a direct mount regulator is provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/029,146 for a “Paintball Gun Adapter With Sliding On/Off Valve and Venting,” 61/029,116 for a “Direct Mount Pressure Regulator With Sliding On/Off Valve,” and 61/029,104 for a “Direct Mount Adjustable Pressure Regulator” all filed Feb. 15, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for launching projectiles. In particular, the invention relates to a pressure regulator for use with a projectile launcher.

BACKGROUND

Marking guns (commonly known as paintball guns or paintball markers) typically use compressed gas to propel frangible projectiles that break upon impact. These types of devices have a wide variety of applications. For example, a popular recreational use is in paintball games, in which opposing sides attempt to seek out and “shoot” one another with paintballs. Frangible projectiles have also been used to segregate cattle within a herd. Likewise, law enforcement personnel employ frangible projectiles with immobilizing materials for crowd control.

The compress gas used to propel the projectiles is typically stored in tanks or canisters. Although a high pressure gas is needed power these type of devices and propel projectiles, the pressure in the tank is usually much greater than the pressure needed to propel projectiles. As such, it is necessary to regulate the pressure of the compressed gas while allowing the projectile to be fired at a constant velocity.

Pressure regulators that reduce or cut off inlet flow of gas when the outlet pressure starts to exceed a predetermined level and then opens or increases flow when the outlet pressure has been reduced are known in the art. Such regulators generally include a pressure sensing actuator responsive to excess inlet pressure which closes the valve member. In this arrangement increasing gas pressure compresses the spring to force the valve member towards a valve seat. As the valve member approaches the valve seat, gas flow through the regulator becomes more restricted. When the defined pressure level is reached, the valve member contacts the valve seat to cut off flow. When the output pressure drops below the defined pressure, the valve member moves away from the valve seat and flow increases. This cycle is repeated to maintain desired outlet pressure.

The most popular regulator used with paintball guns is a direct mount type, where the outlet port is configured to be attached through a threaded ASA connection with the paintball gun adapter. This type of design causes challenges in providing outlet pressure adjustment since the spring adjustment end is placed inside the regulator body without any external access. These types of pressure regulators are being used in the paintball industry with a preset only for a specific outlet pressure valve. Since different paintball guns have a wide variety of different working pressures, there exists a need for a variable pressure regulator that allows for continuous adjustment of outlet pressure without taking apart the regulator components.

A disadvantage of this type of connection is that an opening for gas flow is provided before the regulator is fully secured and received into the adapter. As soon as a slight channel for gas flow is provided, gas exerts pressure and therefore resistance between the components. More specifically, opposing forces are exerted on the face of the regulator and on the internal surface of the adapter. In the case of gas pressure of 850 psi, the force on a given component can be as much as 320 lbs. After the gas flow this small channel is first created, additional turns are needed for the check valve to be fully open and, therefore, provide a proper full-flow channel to power the paintball gun. Those few additional turns under pressure have adverse effect on the microfinish of the thread surface. Frequent mounting and unmounting cycles lead to a distortion of the threads to the point of a friction welding phenomenon, especially when both connecting parts are made of aluminum, Utilization of aluminum as a choice of material is due to a light weight which is an important factor for paintball players.

The above described disadvantages can lead to catastrophic consequences ending in a violent disassembly of the main parts of the regulator. Since the regulator piston housing becomes friction welded to the adapter at the threaded connection, the two main parts of the regulator (i.e., piston housing and main body) can he inadvertently disassembled when the untrained user continues forcing the process of unscrewing.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, the invention provides a gas pressure regulator that employs a user-friendly On/Off valve which permits or stops gas flow to the outlet port of the regulator and vents the remaining gas from the outlet port in the OFF position. In some embodiments, an existing piston housing is utilized as a spool valve and an extra sleeve is used to turn the valve on and off. When the sleeve is in the off position, the regulator gas flow from the piston chamber is blocked and the gas outlet is vented to atmosphere. When the sleeve is in the on position, gas communication between piston chamber and outlet is open and at the same time the venting passageway is closed.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a direct mount pressure regulator. Embodiments are contemplated in which the regulator includes a main body with high pressure inlet, a piston housing, a regulator valve and a check valve pin which permits removal of the regulator from the ASA adapter without loss of gas. A piston may be disposed within the regulator housing and movable between an open regulator condition and closed regulator condition. Typically, a spring urges the regulator piston to the open regulator condition and is located on the outside portion of the piston. In some embodiments, the regulator's outlet pressure may be adjusted with a threaded ring placed between the wall of the regulator body and the regulator spring. Several cavities may be provided on the outside cylindrical surface of the ring for the rod insertion to rotate the ring which will change position along a symmetrical line of the regulator through threaded connection. An opening in the regulator body is disposed to provide access for the rod to communicate with the ring cavities for the pressure adjustment.

According to a further aspect, invention provides an adapter assembly disposed between the regulator and the a projectile launcher, such as a paintball marker, and is equipped with a user friendly on/off valve which permits or stops gas flow to the paintball gun and vents the remaining gas from the gun in the OFF position. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes an adapter housing having a female socket for receiving a threaded portion of the pressure regulator and a male head for engaging with the paintball marker. The male head can include means for threadedly engaging with the paintball marker or any other means for sealed connection. A sliding ring or a spool type of actuator is provided to turn the gas on and off, and vent the remaining gas from the paintball marker in off position.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the prior art regulator with pressure tank and the paintball gun grip illustrating a damaged (friction welded) thread on the regulator-adapter connection in partial cross section which resulted in disassembly of the main parts of the regulator.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator-gun connection used in prior art in the position when the check valve pin is about to be activated by the extending element of the adapter.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator-gun connection used in prior art in the position when the check valve pin is pushed open in the initial stage creating a slight opening.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator-gun connection used in prior art in the position when the check valve pin is fully opened.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter according to present invention with sliding on/off valve shown in off position.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the adapter with sliding on/off valve in on position.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the adapter with spool-socket type on/off valve shown in on position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the adapter with spool-socket type on/off valve shown in off position.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a paintball gun system partly in section to reveal internal details and showing regulator-gun adapter combination in which the adapter includes on/off mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the direct mount adjustable pressure regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in closed condition.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator valve shown in FIG. 10 in open condition.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator adjustment mechanism and it shows the amount of adjustment in relation to FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 5-5 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a partial side elevation view of the regulator shown in FIG. 10, illustrating the adjusting ring with cavities seen through the regulator body opening.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator-adapter connection used in prior art in the position when the check valve pin is about to be activated by the extending element of the adapter.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator-adapter connection used in prior art in the position when the check valve pin is pushed open in the initial stage creating a slight opening.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention with on/off valve shown in off position and check valve pin fully opened. The ASA adapter with the extending pin is not shown.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator with on/off valve in on position.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator with additional gas filling the passageway and a filter.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the regulator plug chamber and shows regulator valve in open position.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross section of the alternative embodiment of the on/off valve activating mechanism and shows thread engagement of the valve sleeve with piston housing.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the prior art regulator with pressure tank and the paintball gun adapter illustrating a damaged (welded) thread on the regulator-adapter connection in partial cross section which resulted in disassembly of the main parts of the regulator.

FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of a paintball gun system partly in section to reveal internal details and showing a regulator-gun adapter combination in which the regulator includes an on/off mechanism according to the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Components in the Figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification is not meant to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The configuration presented in FIG. 1 relates to prior art arrangements where the threaded ASA connection between the regulator 10 and gun 11 is damaged which ultimately leads to violent disassembly of the piston housing 12 from the regulator body 13 which is coupled with the tank 14.

Referring to the FIG. 1, a prior art regulator-gun connection is shown with piston housing 12 and gun body 11. Check valve 15 blocks the gas opening between the regulator 10 and the gun 11. As shown in FIG. 3, additional continuation of screwing the regulator 10 into the gun 11 will result in engagement of the extending pin 16 with the check valve pin 15, resulting in slight opening L1 which is not sufficient to power the paintball gun at this time.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the length of opening L2 provides sufficient flow rate to power the gun. The distance L2 was achieved by screwing the regulator into the gun under pressure causing the thread connection to be prone to damage. In a preferred embodiment, adapter 20 is equipped with ON/OFF valve. A sliding ring 22 is placed around the adapter housing 21 and has two working positions. FIG. 5 represents ON/OFF valve in OFF position where gas passageway 25 is blocked by O-ring 23 and 24. Any gas residue in outlet port is vented as indicated by directional line 26. A fragmentary cross-sectional view of the ON/OFF valve in ON position is provided in FIG. 6. Directional line 25 shows the gas pathway from inlet port to outlet port. FIG. 7 shows alternative embodiment of the adapter in OFF position. A spool 30 is placed in cylindrical surface of the adapter housing 31. Gas passageway from inlet port is blocked by O-rings 32 and 33. Remaining gas from outlet port is vented to atmosphere through passageway 35. Adapter 20 includes inlet side cavities 42 for communication with a plurality of radial passageways 44 distributed circumferentially around housing 21. A retaining ring 46 is preferably secured around housing 21 between sliding ring 22 and the distal mounting threaded portion 48. Retaining ring 46 is received in a circumferential groove 52 on housing 21. Housing 21 farther includes a second set of radial passageways 54 distributed circumferentially around housing 21.

As seen in FIG. 8, the ON/OFF valve is in the ON position and gas passageway 36 represents gas pathway from inlet port to outlet port. O-rings 33 and 34 prevent gas from escaping to the atmosphere.

FIG. 9 shows a gun system aspect of the present invention which includes a gun 50, pressurized gas tank 60, pressure regulator 65, and adapter 20 according to present invention. Fill nipple 70 includes a check valve (not shown) and is used to fill the tank with compressed gas.

FIGS. 10-14 illustrate a regulator according to an alternative embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 10, a regulator 110 is shown which generally includes a main body 112, a piston housing 114, piston 116, and a regulator valve comprised mainly of valve seat 132 and valve plug 130. The body 112 and piston housing 114 threadedly engage one another to seal the regulator 110 as a unit. A spring 118 is disposed around the piston 116 and between the body 112 and a wall of the piston to bias regulator piston to an open condition. A check valve pin 140 located in the outlet port 150 provides a sealable flow path from regulator 110 to the paintball gun (not shown). Spring 142 is utilized to bias the check valve pin 140 to closed position. Pin 140 permits removing the regulator 110 from the paintball gun without loss of compressed gas. Gas flows into the regulator 110 and tank 170 through inlet port 160 and passageways 162 and 164. Unitary with the valve body 116 is a coupling portion 166 extending away from the base 115. As illustrated, the source of compressed gas is typically a tank 170 coupled with regulator 110 through threaded connection 168 and sealing member 169. The inlet port 165 opens into plug chamber 134. A seat 132 defines the entry into the plug chamber 134. The plug chamber 134 is configured to accommodate a plug valve 130 of the piston 116. The plug valve 130 is placed on the end of piston 116 and serves as a seal when seated on the valve seat 132. When plug valve 130 is positioned away from seat 132, gas enters piston chamber 138 through passageways 139 and 136. In this type of arrangement increasing gas pressure compresses the spring 116 to force valve plug 130 towards a valve seat 132. When the defined pressure level is reached, further flow restriction is stopped when valve plug 130 contacts the valve seat 132 as shown in FIG. 10. When the output pressure drops below the defined level, the valve plug 130 along with the piston 116 moves away from the seat 132 to permit gas flow to the piston chamber 138 and subsequently to the outlet port 150 as shown in FIG. 11. This cycle is repeated as to maintain desired outlet pressure required by the user. Plug chamber 134 is sealed with an O-ring 144 and piston chamber 138 with an O-ring 146.

According to the one embodiment, adjusting ring 152 is provided with several cavities 141, placed on the outside cylindrical wall of the ring 152. Outside surface of the ring 152 is threadedly coupled with the regulator body 112. In order to make a gas pressure adjustment, a rod 180 is placed into the cavity 141 through the regulator body opening 148, as illustrated in FIG. 11, and then rotated in desired direction until it touches the edge 143 of the opening 148, as shown in FIG. 13. Rod 180 is then pulled from the adjustment ring cavity 141 and placed into another cavity located on the opposite edge 147 of the regulator body opening 148. The cycle is repeated over and over until desired pressure level is reached. The sector L in FIG. 12 represents the distance the adjusting ring 152 traveled along the symmetrical line of the regulator due to a screw-nut coupling phenomenon known in prior art. The angle adjustment A between regulator body opening shown as surface 143 and 147 in FIG. 13 should be equal or greater than angle B, the angular space between adjusting ring cavities 141. O-ring 154 placed on outside diameter of the adjustment ring 152 prevents dirt particles from entering the regulator's internals and also serves as a locking device preventing adjusting ring from self-rotating during the regulator operations. FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the regulator 110, illustrating adjusting ring 152 with cavities 141 placed in the regulator body 112 and seen through the regulator body opening 148.

FIGS. 15-23 illustrate a regulator according to an alternative embodiment. Referring to the FIG. 15, a prior art regulator-adapter connection is shown with piston housing 212 and adapter body 270. Check valve pin 230 blocks the opening between piston chamber 250 to the outlet port 256, since the mounting process is not completed as the extending pin 272 is not engaged with the check valve pin 230. O-ring 236 with land 274 seals gas from escaping to the atmosphere. Spring 232 is used to bias check valve pin 230 to a closed position.

As shown in FIG. 16, additional continuation of screwing the regulator 215 into the adapter 220 will result in engagement of the extending pin 272 with the check valve pin 230 resulting in slight opening L1 permitting gas flow to the paintball gun. The gas flow rate at opening L1 is not sufficient to power the paintball gun at this time. With reference now to FIG. 17, the check valve pin 230 is fully opened by the extending pin 272 (not shown). The length of the opening L2 provides sufficient flow rate to power the gun. The distance L2 was achieved by screwing the regulator into the adapter under pressure causing thread connection to be prone to damage.

The regulator 210 includes generally a main body 211, piston housing 214, piston 216, and piston spring 218. Regulator body 211 and piston housing 214 threadedly engage with one another with thread connection 217 as a two main structural components of the regulator. Coupling portion 228 extends away from valve body 211 and is adapted for sealed connection to a gas source. Fill port 232 includes a check valve (not shown) to seal pressurized gas from escaping from the tank and communicates through the passageway 233 and 234 with the tank. Inlet opening 234 communicates with the tank (not shown) and the plug chamber 222. A piston chamber 250 is defined within the sealed piston housing 214 and the piston 216 with an O-ring 248. The spring 218 is disposed between the piston 216 and the main body 211. The plug chamber 222 is configured to accommodate a valve plug 224 mounted on the piston 216 and serves as a sealing disc with valve seat 220. The plug 224 can be formed from a resilient material, such as KLF or urethane, to provide a tight seal when the plug 224 is seated on the seat 220, as shown in FIG. 17. O-ring 226 is positioned on the piston 216 and defines plug chamber 222 along with piston 216 and cylindrical wall 236.

In a preferred embodiment, regulator 210 is equipped with ON/OFF valve for selectively blocking the flow of the regulated gas from piston chamber 250 to the outlet chamber 260 and at the same time venting gas from the output port 256 to the atmosphere when the valve is in OFF position. As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, sliding valve ring 240 with knurled gripping surface 241 is placed around piston housing 214 and has two working positions. FIG. 17 shows sliding valve ring in OFF position, where gas from piston chamber 250 enters valve chamber 252 through passageway 258. Valve chamber 252 is sealed by O-rings 242 and 244. Gas from outlet port 256 is being vented through the passageway 259.

A fragmentary cross-sectional view of the ON/OFF valve in ON position is provided in FIG. 18. According to FIG. 18, regulated gas from piston chamber 250 enters valve chamber 252 through the gas passageway 258 and then through passageway 259 to the outlet chamber 260 and ultimately to outlet port 256 through passageway 257, as shown in FIG. 17. Snap ring 264 prevents the valve ring 240 from sliding off the piston housing 214.

With reference now to FIG. 19, a second passageway 239 is provided for compressed gas to enter the tank 271 (see FIG. 23). Extending between fill port 232 and inlet opening 241 first, flow passageway 234 connects discharge opening 235 and plug chamber 222 and is preferably equipped with contoured mesh filter 243. Filter 243 prevents particles and other gas impurities from entering and fouling the regulator valve mechanism. Hollow socket set screw 237 secures filter 243 inside passageway 234.

FIG. 20 shows the regulator valve in open position with the gap present between the valve plug 224 and valve seat 220 creating a gas path 225 from inlet opening 234 to the central bore 235 of the regulator piston 226 which connects with piston chamber 250. The piston chamber 250 comprises an impingement surface 255 against which the (pressure) regulated gas exerts a force for moving the piston 226 against the force of the spring 218. When the force generated by the compressed gas offsets the force of the spring 218, regulator valve is closed. Different spring compressions will result in different outlet pressures. When the outlet pressure drops below the desired level, the resilient force of the spring moves the piston 226 with the valve plug 224 away from the seat 220 and gas flow into the piston chamber 250 increases.

An alternative method of turning the valve ON and OFF is present in FIG. 21 where the valve sleeve 340 is threadedly engaged with piston housing 314. Turning valve ON or OFF is done by rotating the valve sleeve 340 clockwise (CW) or counter clockwise (CCW).

The configuration presented in FIG. 22 relates to prior art arrangement where the thread connection between the ASA adapter 220 and regulator 215 is damaged which ultimately leads to violent disassembly of the piston housing 214 from the regulator body 211 which is coupled with the tank 300.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A paintball gun comprising: a gun body and a pressurized gas tank interconnected by an adapter and a regulator that partially define a fluid pathway between the tank and the gun body, the adapter and the regulator being interconnected by complimentary threaded portions on each said element; and an ON/OFF valve control operably associated with the adapter, said ON/OFF valve being movable between a first position wherein a passage is defined through the adapter and second position wherein the flow of gas through the adapter is blocked and the gas in the gun is vented to atmosphere.
 2. A direct mount pressure regulator for controlling the flow of the gas from a high pressure source and outputting lower pressure gas, the pressure regulator comprising: a regulator housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and defining a flow path through a piston for gas from the high pressure source to the lower pressure outlet; a valve mechanism in the housing for controlling the flow of the gas from a gas source to the outlet port, the valve mechanism including a biasing member for biasing the piston into an open state; and an adjusting ring for the cooperating engagement with the biasing member, said adjusting ring movable relative to the regulator body to deflect or release the biasing member, said adjusting ring manually accessible for adjustment through the regulator body opening.
 3. A direct mount pressure regulator for controlling the flow of the gas from a high pressure source and outputting lower pressure gas, the pressure regulator comprising: a regulator housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and defining a flow path through a piston for gas from the high pressure source to the lower pressure outlet; a valve mechanism in the housing for controlling the flow of the gas from a gas source to the outlet port; and an ON/OFF valve control operably associated with the housing, said ON/OFF valve being movable between a first position wherein a passage is defined between the gas inlet and the gas outlet and second position wherein the flow of gas to the outlet is blocked and the gas outlet is vented to atmosphere. 